By By Micheal Chukwuebuka
AN atmosphere of anxiety has descended on Anambra State following the declaration by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of a total lockdown across Igbo land on Monday, February 2, 2026, even as Governor Chukwuma Soludo maintains that markets in the state must remain open.
IPOB announced the planned shutdown on Friday, describing it as a solidarity action with traders at the Onitsha Main Market, which was recently closed by the Anambra State Government for allegedly observing the Monday sit-at-home order.
The group also said the action was in protest against the continued detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB said the planned lockdown would be a “direct, peaceful and unified response” to what it described as the “tyrannical actions” of Governor Soludo.
The group criticised the one-week closure of the Onitsha Main Market and alleged threats of extended shutdowns, revocation of land ownership, demolition and repurposing of market spaces should traders continue to observe the sit-at-home protest.
According to IPOB, the planned action is not an enforcement exercise but a voluntary expression of solidarity with Onitsha traders, whom it said were being unfairly targeted for supporting the sit-at-home protest over the detention of Nnamdi Kanu.
The group described the closure of the market, regarded as one of the largest in Africa, as “economic warfare” against the Igbo people.
The movement insisted that the Monday sit-at-home began as a peaceful protest demanding the unconditional release of its detained leader and accused the Anambra State Government of attempting to reframe the protest as economic sabotage or criminality.
IPOB further argued that markets had operated peacefully on previous Mondays during the Christmas period, claiming this demonstrated that compliance with the sit-at-home was voluntary and driven by solidarity rather than fear.
IPOB called on residents across Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and other parts of the South-East to observe the February 2 lockdown peacefully. It urged traders, transport operators, banks, schools, civil servants and other sectors to remain indoors and suspend all commercial and public activities for the day.
The group maintained that the action was aimed at standing with Onitsha traders and resisting what it described as attempts by the state government to coerce citizens into abandoning their rights.
It also reiterated its commitment to non-violence and dialogue, calling for a referendum on Biafran self-determination.
IPOB warned residents to remain law-abiding and vigilant, cautioning against alleged attempts to provoke violence or discredit its cause.
The statement concluded by describing the closure of the Onitsha Main Market as an attack on all Biafrans, stressing that the planned shutdown would send a strong message of unity and resistance.
As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Government had continued to insist that markets and businesses should operate normally, setting the stage for a tense Monday across the state.
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